Key Concepts
- Electron configuration
- Ionization
Bromine has the following electron configuration: [Ar]4s²3d¹⁰4p⁵
It needs 1 more electron to gain a full p orbital, resulting in greater stability. Thus, when bromine becomes an ion, it gains one electron. The atom becomes negatively-charged.
Gaining electrons is an exothermic process, so the ionization of bromine also releases energy.